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A 2015 book based on leaked Vatican documents reported that cigarette sales bring in an estimated 10million euros a year to the Vatican City State and are the second-most important source of income after tax-free gas sales.

The book, however, also reported that the booming tobacco sales were an example of how the Vatican's tax-free commercial activities were being abused.

With Italy's VAT sales tax at 22 per cent, anyone who can get their hands on a coveted Vatican 'commercial card' does so since it gives them access to a world of high-end, tax-free shopping.

Good Samaritan: By no longer selling cigarettes, the Vatican loses out on around £8.86million in profits every year

With it, lucky cardholders can buy their weekly groceries at the Vatican supermarket, fill their tank at the Vatican gas station, get a prescription filled at the Vatican pharmacy, and do their Christmas shopping at the Vatican's department store - all duty free.

And the pickings are excellent: Cuban cigars, Samsung flat-screen TVs, prestigious wine so sought-after that the Vatican consistently tops the list of highest per-capita wine consumption in the world.

Only Vatican employees, retirees and residents, accredited diplomats and members of religious congregations have the right to a 'commercial card'.

Cardholders are limited to buying 80 boxes of cigarettes a year but the audit found that 278 clients exceeded the limit that year.

The book, written by journalist Emiliano Fittipaldi, hypothesized that cardholders were reselling their cigarettes under the table and making a handsome, unreported profit.

In its statement, the Vatican said while its cigarette sales represented a source of revenue 'no profit can be legitimate if it puts lives at risk.'